Excellent bokeh was a priority for Canon with the 50L. They stated, "With the increasing popularity of digital SLR cameras, calls for large aperture single-focal length lenses with excellent image quality and pleasing bokeh (blur effects) for portraits have increased," (Tech Report, 11/2006). Spherical aberration results in a loss of sharpness, but completely correcting for spherical aberration results in a harsh, jittery bokeh. In the 50L design, the spherical aberration was left deliberately undercorrected to produce the creamy bokeh for which the lens is known.

maybe I should rent one. renting the 100mm macro L cured my gear lust for it. I realized I could do what I needed with extension tubes and that $900 could go towards something I'd use more often. (That's when I bought the 70-200!)

My fear is that I'll like it so much more than my 35L that I'll just have to have one. I really do love my 35L. I found it more useful FL for me compared to my 50 1.4. But maybe I was just not liking the IQ I was getting on the 50 1.4....here's to hoping I don't fall in love at first sight with the rented copy.

Just recieved mine last friday. Took about 3 shots to fall in love with it. Shot a wedding on sat. Wanted to use it a lot but was worried about the focus I was getting at 1.2. And I have glass to use for 50mm so inbetween locations I did some test shots and manually adjusted the amfa by using the compare screen on the 5d3. At full zoom I decided -6 looked best. After that and a few test shot I felt comfortable using itfor the rest of the night . I did take 3 shots each time at 1.2 to maximise the turnout potential. Sure many of them were soft but the ones that locked on look fabulous. I haven't taken it off since. The balance on a gripped 5d3 is perfect. I agree the shapness is not there esp compared to the new mk2 zooms but the look of the pictures is unlike any lens I have. The 1.4, to me had no special qualities. The 50L is just bada$$. But now im sure ill wake up in a day or 2 to see the announcement of the mk2....